Hollyhead: "We are looking to challenge guys"

“I have really enjoyed it. We have had nine really good training days in the last 12 so not much time off but pre-season should be tough and we are looking to challenge guys to get stronger than they have ever before.

“It has been a long time planning and since we have got started in earnest it has gone quite quickly.

"With just under four weeks to go, obviously everyone is looking forward to the Tranmere game on the 4th August but these next four weeks we have six opportunities to play and really build on the work that has been going on the training pitch.

Hollyhead on using his experience abroad…

“I have had seven years working abroad at three of the biggest clubs across Scandinavia. Firstly Malmo in Sweden, then I had the opportunity to move to Norway (SK Brann) and then the last two years have been in Denmark with Odense.

“It was a cultural learning experience and something which professionally helped me in not only working with 23 different nationalities, but also understanding different playing and training philosophies which I hope to bring back and drip feed in at the right time with what Dino wants.”

Hollyhead on what’s next…

“It isn’t an opportunity to peak during the next four weeks. The purpose is to get the team in some condition and to understand the principles and beliefs that the rest of the management team have.

“As Dino has been saying to the players, we are working as hard as we can to get as prepared as we can for the season ahead. That has certainly been our focus since we started planning pre-season many weeks ago.”

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